Onward and Upward; An Update.

A few updates on a few projects...

Fugue.
I got cast in another Don Hall show. He's directing it for TheaterMomentum. It's called Fugue. Here's the description that they posted for the show...

In the style of a musical fugue, this piece explores layered perspectives on a specific theme.
As many as four scenes will play onstage simultaneously while exploring the suggestion of the show. These scenes will invade each other's space while maintaining their own voices through fluid give-and-take.

The show opens in September.
I have mixed feelings about this gig. One the one hand, I am excited about the concept of the form and about working with Don again. I like his passion for his projects and I we tend to agree on what works and what doesn't work.
On the other hand, Tony, the producer, and I don't get along. Never have. I can't say why, exactly. Recently there was a dust-up about a girl that we both ended up dating at the same time. But even before that, there was something, a low-level dislike brewing there. Maybe it's more accurately described as "a quiet lack of respect" for each other.
Well, he's cast in the show with me. (As well as producing the show). It's for his theater troupe. And that didn't bother me when I auditioned for it, because I trust Don and I know that he wants to do good work without all that bullshit pushed out onto it. I figured he protect me from any sort of bad behavior from one of the producers.
I didn't count on the same producer being cast in the show.
So, I've began thinking about how I can just let all the old shit go and move forward without this being a problem for me. I think the central issue is a matter of trust. I don't trust Tony. I don't trust his artistic instincts and I don't trust him socially. I am hoping that a little exposure to him, in rehearsal, along with an openness to the concept that he's not as bad as I previously thought, will repair some old damage done. I am ready for that to happen.
So, we'll see.
I'm actually missing the first meeting this weekend. I'll rejoin the cast next weekend and move forward there. Ready for the possibility that I can let this old animosity go and actually enjoy a good, healthy, creative process here. At the very least, it'll be a pleasure to work with Don again. On a form that I really, really like.


Reverend Fred
The other day Bob Ladewig approached me about playing a crazy, homophobe, over-the-top bigoted televangelist for a local stage/multimedia show. It's called "The Ville" and honestly is intended to be oriented to gay audiences. My character, Reverend Fred, is the bad guy. You see his big, evil, mushy face up on the tv screens, spouting hate-scripture and I guess the other characters talk about what a dick he is.
I like Bob. And he wanted to do the project, so I said, "Sure. Why not?"
I had my "audition" for the part yesterday with the director, Rebekah. I had to read three speeches. All of them crazy-ass anti-gay rhetoric. I guess Rebekah liked what she saw, as I got the part.
Of course, there's no pay for it. Which is fine. But it'll add to my stock of available footage and be a fun experience, too. I film my stuff in a week or so. I'll post clips on here, once they hit Youtube.
One quick note, I found it actually very, very difficult to be an loud, angry, preachy bigot without slipping into a Southern dialect. I guess that particular cliche is so ingrained that it's hard to fight back.

Vidiocy
Well, we placed in the top ten. The show is tonight and they're showing our short film, "The Long Way Home" as part of the festival. All of us, with Monday Pictures, are going. And I've sent out a few invitations to a few friends to come out too.
Because we're not stacking the deck with a TON of supporters, I doubt we'll win. I don't think any of us particularly like that aspect of the festival; the more audience/voters you bring, the better your chances of winning. So, we're going in low-key and ready to just enjoy ourselves.
We ARE however, prepping marketing materials that say stuff like "Monday Pictures, finalists in the Vidiocy Film Festival" etc. So, we'll get something out of this.

Monday Pictures
Yesterday, I pitched my next script idea, "Last Tango in Hell Town". Matt and Ryan liked the idea okay. But the sex stuff made them squeamish. Stacey got up during my presentation to do stuff in the other room. (I took that as a bad sign.) In short, an idea that seemed hilariously funny to me, the other day, has been quietly poo-poohed by the rest of the group and isn't as funny today.
I'll likely take a pass on the script and work on something else. I've got plenty of time. My turn as director/editor is still a few weeks away.
I DID get asked to play "The Pizza Guy" in Erin's film. Which is pretty cool. I didn't get asked to play anything in Matt, Ryan or Stacey's film. So, it'll be nice to get to do some "in-front-of-camera" work. (Technically I have a cameo in Matt's film. So, that's not entirely accurate. I just would've liked to do more.)
Needless to say, I am excited about working on Erin's project with him. And I think I might be playing "the Prop Comic" in Ryan's "My Roommate, The Prop Comic" short film.

BBR On The Road
This weekend is the BBR road trip to Allegen, MI. We've been joking a lot lately about the "Townie Party" that we're going to have back at our hotel room. For those not in the know, a "Townie Party" is when a traveling show invites hot-ass local girls back to their hotel room (along with guys who took a big interest in the show) to celebrate how fuckin' cool the actors in the show are. The smaller the town, the bigger the celebrity of an out-of-town act.
Either way, it should be a hilarious good time.

Hello, Craigslist.
I don't know why I never thought of it before, but I shopped around for work on Craigslist for the first time yesterday. Not administrative or clerical work. But writing gigs and extras/film work in Chicago.
I found the Chicago/Gigs/Writing section and looked carefully at every posting there. In the end, I selected two or three online anthologies or web journals and submitted to them.
My criteria was twofold. First, they had to be looking for a a subject that I could actually write about with some knowledge. The simple truth is that I'm not a Bisexual Woman or a Fine Cuisine Aficionado. I wouldn't even know how to write like one. So, I picked projects that I have a chance to actually write about. Second, the gigs had to pay. I don't care what they pay. They just have to pay. I feel that this is the next logical step in my evolution. I get paid to write.
So, I sent out three different submissions last night and will continue monitoring Craigslist for future gigs. And will apply for them too. I figure that if I throw enough shit at the wall, some of it is sure to stick.

One more note, all of the writing samples that I sent can be found in the "Best of Word" section of this very blog. All this verbage that I've been dumping in here was for a purpose. Stockpiling words that I could eventually publish and sell.

And you thought it was all just pointless narcissim, didn't you?

Oh, and one of the sources was the Chicago Reader. I'm so fucking 100% positive that they would like what I want to write for them, that I'm actually calling the editors myself and pitching it to them. It's a time sensitive article, so I can't afford to sit on this one. Forture favors the brave.

Some Extra Work.
I also have an appointment today with the "Flying Rodent Millionaire People" to turn in my picture for possible casting. Finally. I know that there is work here with this crew. I just need them to know about me, so that they can use me.

Also, I've found a good headshot photographer here in town. I like this guy's work. (What I've seen of it). And more importantly, he's a friend, so I can ask the dumb questions that I need to ask "How many outfits should I bring?" and "How can I keep from looking like a jackass in these pictures?" and "What type do you think I should market myself as?" (His answer: Nice Guy Dad and Funny Fat Guy, Friend Next Door) He's also cutting me a very good deal on the pictures. So, I appreciate that definitely.
This will be the first time I've taken headshots since 2000. Crazy, huh?

Additionally, a good friend who is actually union now and does union gigs has hooked me up with his casting agencies. I have contact info and names and the will to do this. As soon as I get the headshots together, I'll contact these folks and set up a meeting with them. The thought is that might lead to actual speaking lines in these movies. Which, again, is a step up.

A Moment of Reflection.
I was just thinking last night about how happy I am, now that I'm not working my old, shitty ass job. I'd settled. And given up on writing or film work. Both of them looked like Closed Doors to me. But they're not. They're both waiting for me to just step up, take the handle and try to open them.
It's funny how a setback has turned into so many opportunities. All I gotta do is keep taking one step forward, and then another one and then another one and before you know it, I am actually taking full strides towards the life that I want to live.

I'm glad you're here. Taking the journey with me.

Cheers,
Mr.B